TEHRAN- Controversial remarks made by an ally of US President-elect Donald Trump about German politics have more than ever exposed Washington\u2019s hegemonic views.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who is Trump\u2019s most powerful adviser, has strutted across the German political stage as if he is the cock of the walk.\u00a0<\/p>\n
He has explicitly thrown his full weight behind far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD), a tactic aimed at undermining the reputation of German politicians.<\/p>\n
Musk, the world\u2019s richest person,\u00a0first\u00a0endorsed the AfD in a tweet two weeks ago. \u00a0<\/p>\n
At the weekend, he doubled down on his support for the AfD in a guest opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper ahead of key parliamentary elections in the country.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,\u201d Musk wrote in his translated commentary, according to the Associated Press.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Trump\u2019s most powerful advisor has referred to Scholz as \u201cOaf Schitz\u201d and described German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as an \u201canti-democratic tyrant.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n He added that the far-right party \u201ccan lead Germany into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.\u201d<\/p>\n Musk argued that his\u00a0investment in Germany\u00a0gave him the right to comment on the country\u2019s condition.<\/p>\n His statements have caused uproar in Germany.<\/p>\n Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whose three-party governing coalition\u00a0collapsed last month\u00a0in a dispute over how to revitalize the country\u2019s stagnant economy, \u00a0lashed out at Musk without naming him.<\/p>\n \u201cYou, the citizens, decide what happens in Germany. It\u2019s not up to the owners of social media,\u201d Scholz\u00a0said, according to Politico.\u00a0<\/p>\n A German government spokesperson accused Musk of \u201ctrying to influence the federal election\u201d. Germany is to vote in\u00a0an early election\u00a0on\u00a0February 23. \u00a0<\/p>\n Other German politicians also excoriated Musk for his comments.<\/p>\n \u201cMusk is strengthening those who are weakening Europe,\u201d Germany\u2019s vice chancellor and economy minister, Robert Habeck, said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democrats and current favorite to succeed Scholz as chancellor, also described Musk\u2019s statements as \u201cintrusive and pretentious.\u201d<\/p>\n Trump empire: The incoming US president has proposed the notion of taking over Greenland, reinstating control over the Panama Canal, and designating Canada as the 51st state of the United States.<\/em><\/p>\n The AfD is currently in second place in opinion polls behind the main opposition conservatives, and might be able to thwart a center-right or center-left majority in the election. Germany\u2019s mainstream parties have vowed not to work with the AfD at the national level.<\/p>\n The AfD has grown increasingly extreme since its founding as a euroskeptic party more than 10 years ago. \u00a0Germany\u2019s federal domestic intelligence classifies the party as a suspected extremist organization.<\/p>\n Further in his comments, Musk also called for Scholz\u2019s resignation after a car rammed into a crowd at a\u00a0Christmas market\u00a0on December 20, killing five people.<\/p>\n In one\u00a0post, he referred to Scholz as \u201cOaf Schitz.\u201d In\u00a0another, he referred to German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as an \u201canti-democratic tyrant.\u201d<\/p>\n Musk has recently supported several other European populist, right-wing politicians, such as Reform UK leader\u00a0Nigel Farage\u00a0and Italian Prime Minister\u00a0Giorgia Meloni.\u00a0<\/p>\n He is Trump\u2019s most powerful adviser. Hence, his opinions could well have a big influence on the US policies when it comes to Germany.\u00a0<\/p>\n Berlin is among Washington\u2019s close Western allies. But Musk\u2019s comments clearly indicate that the incoming US administration will throw its Western allies a contemptuous look.\u00a0<\/p>\n European countries such as Germany should make efforts to adopt policies independent form those of the US. Should Europeans choose to align themselves closely with US interests, they risk being perceived as subordinate states to the United States.<\/p>\n Trump\u2019s comments about taking over Greenland, bringing back the Panama Canal and making Canada the 51st state of the United States have unveiled the underlying intentions of Washington, potentially serving as a significant alert for European leaders. \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/en.hamsonews.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/5312592.jpg\")
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